Ghostworks Unveils MRLN System for Autonomous Maritime Operations

Developed in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Mercury Marine, the MRLN system integrates directly into Ghostworks’ proprietary M-Hull and powercat platforms. The technology seeks to dismantle the traditional naval design compromise between speed, range, and payload. By utilizing the 40-foot carbon fiber Minerva-class vessel as the primary testbed, the system allows operators to reconfigure mission profiles in the field, ranging from mine countermeasures and persistent surveillance to littoral resupply and communications relay.

General Atomics contributed its expertise in aerial autonomy to the maritime domain, while Mercury Marine provided drive-by-wire propulsion and command gateway hardware. This combination ensures the vessels maintain station and endurance in contested or shallow waters. Ghostworks CEO Brooke Kerschbaumer noted that the architecture allows commanders to adapt to changing tactical requirements without swapping out hardware. The Minerva-class platform itself supports a 17,500-pound payload at a 30-knot cruise speed in sea state 4, providing a robust foundation for the remote-pilot autonomy layer.